Okay, so all you guys up in Milwaukee on Friday, I have only one thing to say: I WANT ONE!!!

Since it's going to take me until September to rearrange my budget to include this, I figure now is a good time to find out more about all the choices out there. Should I be looking at the EXP? Or the SLE? Get one in a package that comes with lines, handles, etc., or buy just the kite and get the rest a la carte, as it were?

I had such a blast on Friday, even though the wind was merely taunting us for most of the day... I'm pretty sure at some point I'm going to want a SUL in addition to whatever I start with, and probably have to add a vented to the list. *sigh* I am in so much trouble...

If I were to start over buying revs, I would save the extra money and buy a B-series standard sail first. You would get Two frames (2 wrap and 3 wrap) And most places sell it as a complete set up or kite only. It would allow you to fly in a wide range of wind. 3-20 or so depending on who you ask.
You could also get a standard 1.5 and buy the extra frame for a little less. Either way after the first one you will want a second....third....fourth...etc. So keep on saving. If you are close enough to come to the club fly on the 25th I have an extra kite you would be more than welcome to fly. And I am sure there will be others who would have a free kite. Welcome to the dark side!

Darkspark wrote:If I were to start over buying revs, I would save the extra money and buy a B-series standard sail first. You would get Two frames (2 wrap and 3 wrap) And most places sell it as a complete set up or kite only. It would allow you to fly in a wide range of wind. 3-20 or so depending on who you ask.You could also get a standard 1.5 and buy the extra frame for a little less. Either way after the first one you will want a second....third....fourth...etc. So keep on saving. If you are close enough to come to the club fly on the 25th I have an extra kite you would be more than welcome to fly. And I am sure there will be others who would have a free kite. Welcome to the dark side!

Wendy ~ I Totally agree with the above!
Welcome to the $$ Dark Side $$

...and Mike, you mentioned a FREE kite! I'LL TAKE IT! (Ohhh... maybe you meant "available"??? NOT FREE? ...too bad! Sounded like a really great deal!)

[align=center]"When the power of love becomes more important than the love of power, then there will be peace"[/align][align=center]-Jimi Hendrix[/align]

There's not a big difference between the SUL and the SLE sail, so we'll ignore the SUL for now.
The EXP is a good kite, if that's all you can afford, get an EXP (which comes with 3 wrap spars) and a set of 2 wrap spars.

But even better...
As you mentioned, you'll wind up owning a minimum of two sails (SLE or B-Series): an standard (un-vented) and a vented sail.
And a minimum of 2 sets of spars: 2 wrap and 3 wrap. Optionally, add a 4 wrap set for 20+ mph winds.

The wraps refer, in a general way, to the number of wraps of carbon they use when making the spar. More wraps makes a stronger, stiffer, and heavier spar. Use 2 wraps in light wind, 4 in a heavy wind. See how they're made here: http://www.ikeclub.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=441

If you can budget two kites right at the start, you'll be out flying more often and your learning curve will be shorter because you wont be trying to fly the wrong kite for a given wind condition.

So here's one package option:
An SLE with a 2 wrap spar (it comes with an "SLE" spar, which most kiters avoid--ask the dealer to swap out for the 2 wrap spar)
A Vented SLE with a 3 wrap spar.

The spars are interchangeable. You can swap the 3 wrap spar from the vented into the SLE if you want. They will also swap with the EXP.
You can also put both the 2 wraps and the 3 wrap spars in the leading edge of your vented kite for high winds.

In light winds, I would fly the standard sail with the 2 wrap spar. As the wind picks up, I would fly the vented with the 2 wrap spar. As the wind gets even stronger, I would fly the Vented with 3 wrap spars. And finally, put both the 2 and 3 wraps spars in the leading edge in very strong winds.

When do you switch spars? I don't have wind meter, so I go by how much the leading edge is bending. Look like it's going to break? Switch kites/spars!

There are other options, such as the B-series and Race spars.
The problem with the way the package the B-Series is that if you get a Standard and a Vented you wind up with an extra set of 3 wrap spars. That's because the Standard comes with a set of 2 wraps and a set of 3 wraps, and the Vented comes with 3 & 4 wraps.

As mentioned, I always travel with loaner kites. So until you can afford your own, you can borrow one of mine at any club fly or festival.

Also, I recommend giving call to the dealer who sponsors our kite team, 180GO!. His logo is at the top, right of this page.

really like my SLE's but I really enjoyed my B-series this past Naperville. Talking with my wife and getting the "i never see you at fests" talk I agreed to only get out my Rev and stay closer.
Had a ton of fun even if i was fighting the wind, or lack of..... needless to say - what mike said. but better yet get one - GO for it because as you fly you will learn so... SO much more and probably end up with 2,3, or more???
welcome to the addiction

Mike wrote:...As you mentioned, you'll wind up owning a minimum of two sails (SLE or B-Series): an standard (un-vented) and a vented sail.And a minimum of 2 sets of spars: 2 wrap and 3 wrap. Optionally, add a 4 wrap set for 20+ mph winds. ...If you can budget two kites right at the start, you'll be out flying more often and your learning curve will be shorter because you wont be trying to fly the wrong kite for a given wind condition.

So here's one package option:An SLE with a 2 wrap spar (it comes with an "SLE" spar, which most kiters avoid--ask the dealer to swap out for the 2 wrap spar)A Vented SLE with a 3 wrap spar....There are other options, such as the B-series and Race spars.The problem with the way the package the B-Series is that if you get a Standard and a Vented you wind up with an extra set of 3 wrap spars. That's because the Standard comes with a set of 2 wraps and a set of 3 wraps, and the Vented comes with 3 & 4 wraps....Also, I recommend giving call to the dealer who sponsors our kite team, 180GO!. His logo is at the top, right of this page.

A few more thoughts:
See if you can special order the non-vented with Race Rods. These are rods that are lighter than a two wrap and as strong as a three wrap. A $90 set of rods does the work of two $60 set of rods. Then order your vented with 4 wraps. You now have coverage for 2 wrap through 4 wrap winds with two kites. Buy the first kite with handles and lines and then you only need the sail for the vented.

Think also about upgrading to 120 foot lines on your first purchase. I found the longer lines are more forgiving as the tendency of beginners (me!) is to over control the kite and the extra length slows things down. Then when you are ready for team flying you already have the right line length. I don't have much experience, so others that have taught lots of people should feel free to jump in here.

Lastly, consider joining American Kite Association before making all your purchases. It is a good organization and many retailers offer a 10% discount to members. Cost is $40 for one year.

John

Last edited by RevJB on Sun, Jul 12 2009, 08:34 PM, edited 2 times in total.

RevJB wrote:Think also about upgrading to 120 foot lines on your first purchase. I found the longer lines are more forgiving as the tendency of beginners (me!) is to over control the kite and the extra length slows things down. Then when you are ready for team flying you already have the right line length. I don't have much experience, so others that have taught lots of people should feel free to jump in here.

That's an interesting thought. Honestly, I'd thought that it would be a bit better for a beginner to get the hang of it on a more responsive shorter line set, 75-80 feet. The set I flew with to start was 75'. But individual experience will certainly vary.